Significant Android Auto audio and response latency

[Eraser]

I want to start by saying I'm well aware of the general audio latency using Android Auto. In the past I usually notice about a 1-1.5 second audio latency when watching video content on my phone. When I skip forward on a track or in a podcast the response was near real-time. Since getting Power-up 3.5.3 I noticed the latency has gotten significantly worse (nearly 3 seconds) for both audio and responsiveness in actions like skipping forward or changing tracks. Since I got my MME at the beginning of 2021, I was using a Pixel 5. Last week I switched to the Pixel 7 Pro, and the same latency issue exists.

For reference here is a summary of my setup:

• Devices: Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 5
• OS: Android 13 (October security update)
• App: Android Auto v8.3.624114
• Ford Power-up: 3.5.4

There is a possibility the issue is with Android Auto and the issue just coincided with the Power-up. I'm wondering if any other Android Auto users are having the same increase in latency.

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[Guss-E 2021]

I want to start by saying I'm well aware of the general audio latency using Android Auto. In the past I usually notice about a 1-1.5 second audio latency when watching video content on my phone. When I skip forward on a track or in a podcast the response was near real-time. Since getting Power-up 3.5.3 I noticed the latency has gotten significantly worse (nearly 3 seconds) for both audio and responsiveness in actions like skipping forward or changing tracks. Since I got my MME at the beginning of 2021, I was using a Pixel 5. Last week I switched to the Pixel 7 Pro, and the same latency issue exists.

For reference here is a summary of my setup:

• Devices: Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 5
• OS: Android 13 (October security update)
• App: Android Auto v8.3.624114
• Ford Power-up: 3.5.4

There is a possibility the issue is with Android Auto and the issue just coincided with the Power-up. I'm wondering if any other Android Auto users are having the same increase in latency.

Yes. I've noticed AA is much more janky. Audio cuts in and out more frequently and, yes, distinct latency when skipping tracks or changing playlists. It would be nice if Google actually followed these forums. Better yet, actually gave a shit about its software any more.

Related but unrelated, my Google Home response time has been awful lately. So much so, that I find myself repeating commands wait for the first ask to complete. Everything runs through Google's servers so I have to think it is related.

This is why OTA fixes need to be pushed out more frequently and more uniformly.

Have you tied a full uninstall? I might try that.

 

[scoopman]

No, that's a problem with Ford's code. Google gives them reference code but Ford integrates how to talk the AA code into its software in the car.

Sounds like the new version introduced a regression and Ford must not test this at all. 3 seconds sounds borderline unusable.

 

[Eraser]

Yes. I've noticed AA is much more janky. Audio cuts in and out more frequently and, yes, distinct latency when skipping tracks or changing playlists. It would be nice if Google actually followed these forums. Better yet, actually gave a shit about its software any more.

Related but unrelated, my Google Home response time has been awful lately. So much so, that I find myself repeating commands wait for the first ask to complete. Everything runs through Google's servers so I have to think it is related.

This is why OTA fixes need to be pushed out more frequently and more uniformly.

Have you tied a full uninstall? I might try that.

Since I got a new phone I effectively did a fresh install of AA. That said, I'm leaning on this being a Ford Sync issue since I'm not seeing many reports of this from other infotainment systems.

 

[Eraser]

No, that's a problem with Ford's code. Google gives them reference code but Ford integrates how to talk the AA code into its software in the car.

Sounds like the new version introduced a regression and Ford must not test this at all. 3 seconds sounds borderline unusable.

The latency does suck but you'll never notice it just listening to audio. Watching videos on your phone is pretty much unusable. Skipping tracks is a minor annoyance. I've also noticed audio drop outs much more frequently than before.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Since I got a new phone I effectively did a fresh install of AA. That said, I'm leaning on this being a Ford Sync issue since I'm not seeing many reports of this from other infotainment systems.

I see. I reinstalled and re-initiated AA in my MME this morning and behaved better on my ride into work. I'm not exactly surprised that the real issues are probably on Ford's side (though Google is definitely not without its sins).

Ford, if you are listening, it is nearly 2023. Software UI's are predominantly how car owners interact with their vehicles, particularly new BEVs. If you want to KEEP customers, you had best put the time and resources into assuring the experience of interfacing with your vehicles is a good one.

The MME is young as models go and I've only had mine for a little over four months. I'm still willing to give Ford (more) time to improve the software. I just really hope it does.

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